Abundance, diurnal activity patterns and conservation challenges of hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) in Wolkite and Butajira Towns, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia
- International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology
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Tamenut Desalegn, Chalachew Alemneh, Geleta Shasho
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Abstract
Understanding the abundance, diurnal activity pattern, and challenges of hooded vultures
(Necrosyrtes monachus) in towns is vital to their conservation and monitoring strategies.
This study investigated the abundance, diurnal activity patterns, and conservation challenges
of hooded vultures in Gurage Zone towns of Ethiopia. The study was carried out from June
2022 to April 2023, considering both wet and dry seasons. The study had three sampling
sites (Abattoir, Waste disposal, and near café & restaurants). In total, 29-point stations
were employed, 12 at Wolkite town and 17 at Butajira town. The abundance and diurnal
activity patterns data were collected using 5 minutes instantaneous scan sampling within
15-minute intervals from 7:00 AM to 18:00 PM for 12 days per month at the sampling sites.
In total, the data were taken for 120 sampling days, 60 in the wet season and 60 in the dry
season. The abundance of hooded vultures in seasons (fasting and non-fasting seasons) in
the study sites were analyzed by Mann-Whitney statistical tests and Kruskal-Wallis test
used to examine the abundance of hooded vultures in the three sampling sights. To analyze
the effect of season and time interval on behavioral activity patterns of hooded vultures
by using One-Way ANOVA. Descriptive analysis such as percentages, frequencies, tables,
figures, and graphs were used to analyze the conservation challenges. From 2896 behavioral
scans on the various activities, resting was the highest (41.4%) diurnal activity followed by
foraging (37.1%) and preening (31.3%). Fasting and non-fasting seasons have statistical
significance (U=6348.078, df=2, p<0.05) on the abundance of hooded vultures and the
sampling sites (Abattoir, waste disposal, café, and restaurants). Destruction of nesting
habitats, poisonous, lack of awareness, food computation, and traditional medicine are the
major challenges of hooded vultures. Therefore, this study suggests that to reduce these
problems, the concerned body can conserve their habitats by providing awareness training
to the community about the ecological roles of hooded vultures to the environment.
Keywords
abattoir, daytime activity, restaurants, towns, threats, waste disposa
